Lumos

Lumos Youth Advisory Boards don't just offer a space to socialise, they create real-world change. Since 2017, Lumos Youth Advisory Boards have united young people with lived experience of the care system in formal partnership with Lumos. Active across every country where we work, these boards ensure children’s perspectives directly shape policies, services, and advocacy. For us, the benefit is clear. The Boards deliver stronger care systems, informed legislation, and reforms that protect future generations from institutionalisation, while empowering members with meaningful responsibilities, new skills, independence and the opportunity to become confident advocates. Together, we are building a better future for young people, shaped by young people. More information ➡️ https://lnkd.in/esjqz28V #ChildrensRights #YouthLeadership #YoungAdvocates #YouthParticipation #FutureLeaders

🌟 Some changes bring new faces while keeping the same commitment. ✅ Following Anouk Moser's departure from Lumos, we are pleased to welcome Lucy Halton as the new Co-Chair of the EEG, representing Lumos. A huge thank you to Anouk for everything she has contributed to the EEG over the years. Her leadership, knowledge and commitment have been instrumental in advancing our work, and we wish her all the very best for the future. ❗ We are delighted that Lumos will continue its leadership within the EEG through Lucy. As Head of Programmes (Advocacy & the Participation of People with Lived Experience) at Lumos, Lucy brings strong experience in child rights, human rights advocacy and meaningful participation, including ensuring that advocacy is grounded in the perspectives of people with lived experience. ❗ We look forward to working together to keep advancing the transition to family- and community-based support across Europe. 🔥 Welcome to the role, Lucy! #Deinstitutionalisation #CommunityBasedSupport #HumanRights #ChildRights

At 18, Tatiana has grown into a confident young leader through Lumos Colombia’s Youth Advisory Board. For over two years, Lumos Colombia and Foundation FRINE supported her in overcoming bullying and school challenges, enabling her to build meaningful friendships and become a strong voice advocating for young people. Today, she dreams of becoming a police officer or nurse, highlighting the transformative power of timely, child-centred and community-based support. Full story ➡️ https://ow.ly/Bnrp50ZjXk1 #YouthLeadership #LumosColombia #ChildAdvocacy #YouthVoices

At just 7, Dennis was at risk growing up in an institution and losing his education. After taking part in Lumos Kenya training, Kenyan Children’s Officer Jane assessed his situation and he was placed with a loving foster family. Now thriving in school and dreaming of becoming a doctor, his foster mother notes, “When he came, he frequently engaged in physical scuffles... But now he’s had a big behavioural change. Dennis is well-mannered, well spoken, helps with chores, and performs very well in school.” Professional training is more than personal development, it has the power to equip individuals to change the lives of others. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/ec-gVXy7

Investments made into professional training changes lives. At 16, Daniela is thriving in a loving foster family in Moldova with Aliona and Vladimir. Once shy, Daniela now says, “Family is where I feel at home.” and with Aliona’s encouragement, she has stepped out of her comfort zone to dance and try new projects. Lumos Moldova foster care training has helped make their foster journey possible. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/eBnt8z54

The recovery of Ukraine means rebuilding communities that place children and families first. As a co-chair of the EEG, Lumos supports the call for the continued prioritisation of deinstitutionalisation and community-based family support by Ukrainian authorities, European institutions and international partners. This is not only an integral part of recovery, reconstruction and EU accession efforts, but also critical to ensure that every child, including children with disabilities, can thrive within safe and loving families. 🇺🇦 Read the full EEG statement: https://lnkd.in/edY-7-e7

Daniela is 16, and like many teenagers, she enjoys dancing and studying her favourite subjects. She and her foster mum are, in her own words, "like sisters." The bond they have built, in a picturesque Moldovan village, is the kind of story that reminds you what family really means. See how foster care training delivered by Lumos Moldova helped make it possible. More information: https://lnkd.in/eBnt8z54

What if supporting a child started with their strengths, not their diagnosis? In Ukraine, a groundbreaking new course is shifting exactly that. Watch how Lumos Ukraine is helping change the way we think about inclusive education. More information: https://ow.ly/FtH750Zf3fx #InclusiveEducation #ChildDevelopment #UkraineEducation #EducationForAll

Child welfare is at the forefront this week at the Eurochild Conference on Child Protection Systems, taking place in Paphos, Cyprus. Decision makers, civil society representatives, and youth advocates have come from across Europe to take part in this important event. Yesterday, Lumos’ Anouk Moser co-facilitated a workshop on Sustaining Child Protection and Care Reform Through Policy and Practice, alongside Irina Papancheva from Hope and Homes for Children, Altin Hazizaj from CRCA - ECPAT ALBANIA, and Rima Puşic, a self-advocate from Moldova. The workshop explored how EU policy frameworks, funding instruments and the accession process can support child protection and care reform, particularly the transition from institutional care to family-based care and community services. Attendees at the event took part in an interactive dialogue in which they reflected on how care reform could be advanced in their contexts using EU frameworks. Rich discussions took place, with participants sharing strong examples from their countries. Overall, the conference has been an important and inspiring moment for all those working in Child Protection in Europe. Lumos supports and champions the systematic, quality and ethical participation of children and young people affected by the issues we work on. We are particularly pleased to have seen so much participation from children and young people throughout this event. However we must take the words of Michalis Tsangarides, former Cyprus Children's Parliament member, to heart: "Young people do not need decorative seats at the table. They do not need to be photographed, applauded and then ignored. They need institutions willing to listen seriously and respond honestly." Find out more on how we work with young people: https://lnkd.in/esjqz28V #EurochildConf

Today, on the Day of the African Child, Lumos stands with children across Africa in their right to grow up in families, be heard, and access inclusive education. We continue to work with the ACERWC and FAFICA to promote care reform across the continent, with partnership and collaboration remaining central to how we drive change beyond the countries where we operate. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, loving family - not in poverty, institutions, or isolation. This day is a powerful reminder that behind every statistic is a child who deserves care, connection, and the chance to thrive. Find out more: https://ow.ly/L0Bp50ZbJWT #DayOfTheAfricanChild #ChildRights #Lumos #EveryChildBelongs